Composite image heat transfer with scannable mark

ABSTRACT

A composite image heat transfer is disclosed for use on specific merchandising articles, sports jerseys, or other apparel for a specific sport. A scannable mark would be embedded in a heat transfer positioned on a sports jersey, such as a jersey number or a club crest. The scannable mark would be scanned by a user to provide stats, personal information, or other information about the corresponding sports team/club and/or individual athlete. The user can also register the scannable mark and follow the sports team/club and/or athlete on social media. Thus, the composite image heat transfer with embedded scannable mark would link each jersey number with information related to the corresponding player/athlete, and each club crest would be linked to information related to the corresponding club/team. This would enable a strong interaction through social media and other web tools between athletes and/or clubs and fans.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/558,068 filed Aug. 31, 2019, which is a division of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/570,460 filed Dec. 15, 2014, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,399,317, and claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/000,167 filed May 19, 2014, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to scannable marks or otherobjects embedded within a heat transfer. The present subject matter isespecially suitable for merchandised products associated with sports,but may be used with other applications such as places, famous people,family members, animals and the like. In accordance with embodiments ofthe present subject matter, scannable marks for clothing are provided.Particular relevance is found in connection with a scannable markembedded within a heat transfer for providing selected information to awireless and/or handheld device which captures and/or reads barcodes, QR(quick response) codes, digital water marks, or other like indiciaincluded on heat transfers attached to or otherwise associated withconsumer products or other articles. Accordingly, the presentspecification makes specific reference thereto. However, it is to beappreciated that aspects of the present inventive subject matter arealso equally amenable to other like applications.

In a variety of different sports or other marketing or promotionalapplications, it is well known for the athletes to wear sport jerseys orother apparel that have a unique number and/or a team crest or symbol onit. Further, consumers/fans associate this unique number and/or teamcrest with a particular athlete and/or team/club. In addition, it isalso known that consumers/fans collect stats and other personalinformation on the athletes and/or sports team/club, and may, on alimited basis, follow their favorite athlete and/or sports team/club viasocial media. What is needed therefore is a device and/or system whichallows a user to access specific stats and other personal information ona specific athlete and/or sports team/club in real time, and whichallows users to follow their favorite athlete and/or sports team/clubvia social media and would promote a strong interaction through socialmedia and other web tools between athletes and/or clubs and fans.

The present invention discloses a composite image heat transfer for useon specific merchandising articles, such as sports jerseys, or otherapparel items or accessories. The composite image heat transfer includesa scannable mark embedded within a heat transfer positioned on the frontof a sports jersey, such as embedded within a jersey number or a clubcrest. The scannable mark would be scanned by a user to provide stats,personal information, or other information about the correspondingsports team/club and/or individual athlete. The user can also registerthe scannable mark and follow the sports team/club and/or athlete onsocial media, which would enable a strong interaction through socialmedia and other web tools between athletes and/or clubs and fans.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof,provides for a composite image heat transfer. The composite image heattransfer comprises a scannable mark embedded in a heat transfer or otherobject for use on specific merchandising articles, sports jerseys, orother apparel for a specific sport. The scannable mark would bepositioned on the heat transfer number or club crest on the front of thejersey, and would be used to provide stats, personal information, orother information about the sports team/club and/or individual athlete.The scannable mark would be scanned by a user, who can then register andfollow the sports team/club and/or athlete on social media. Thus, thecomposite image heat transfer with embedded scannable mark would linkeach jersey number with information related to the correspondingplayer/athlete, and each club crest would be linked to informationrelated to the corresponding club/team.

In a preferred embodiment, the scannable mark is applied to the heattransfer jersey number and/or club crest on the front of a sports jerseyvia any suitable heat transfer means. Additionally, the heat transfercomprises printed material applied to a base material. The base materialis typically a non-woven fabric material, but can be any suitablematerial as is known in the art. The base material would be part of aclothing article, such as a t-shirt, jersey, sweatshirt, or accessoryitem, hats, belts, shoes, purses, scarves, etc. The printed matter wouldbe visually recognizable information incorporating text, pictures,and/or numbers. The scannable mark would be any suitable scannable mark,such as but not limited to, digital water marks, bar codes and/or QRcodes. The scannable marks can be printed with ultraviolet-curable inks,or other suitable inks as is known in the art. A user would scan thescannable mark from the front of the jersey to look up stats, personalinformation, and other information about the sports team/club and/orindividual athlete, and to follow the sports team/club and/or individualathlete on social media. This would enable a strong interaction throughsocial media and other web tools between athletes and/or clubs and fans.

In a further exemplary embodiment method for developing, making, andusing the composite image heat transfer on specific merchandisingarticles, such as sports jerseys, or other apparel for a specific sportis disclosed and includes the steps of initially securing image rightsauthorization and then positioning a second image and/or scannable markwithin the confines of the first image. Next, the desired compositeimage heat transfer is prepared and then applied to the desiredcomposite image heat transfer to a sports jersey or other similarapparel. The scannable mark is scanned or read to receive stats andpersonal information on the individual athlete or team associated withthe image on the heat transfer which contains the scannable mark.

In a still further embodiment of the presently described invention, amethod for using a composite image heat transfer, is disclosed andincludes the steps of initially providing an apparel item. A heattransfer is provided with an image disposed thereon. The image can be ofany suitable item, including people, teams, places, animals and thelike. Next a scannable mark is embedded on the heat transfer.Information relating to the scannable mark is stored in a database withthe information being related to the image provided on the heattransfer. The heat transfer is then applied to an apparel item and thescannable mark is read or scanned with a device. Finally, information isobtained from the database on the device.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intendedto include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, as well as other objects and advantages of this invention, willbe more completely understood and appreciated by referring to thefollowing more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplaryembodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the composite image heat transfer inaccordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of developing, making, and using thecomposite image heat transfer in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary architecture and/or workflow forobtaining customized information related to a specific sports athlete orteam/club of interest to a user in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof.

The present invention discloses a composite image heat transfer for useon specific merchandising or promotional articles, such as sportsjerseys, or other apparel items or accessory. The composite image heattransfer includes a scannable mark embedded within a heat transferpositioned on the front of a sports jersey, such as embedded within ajersey number or a club crest. The scannable mark would be scanned by auser to provide stats, personal information, or other information aboutthe corresponding sports team/club and/or individual athlete. The usercan also register the scannable mark and follow the sports team/cluband/or athlete on social media. Thus, the composite image heat transferwith embedded scannable mark would link each jersey number withinformation related to the corresponding player/athlete, and each clubcrest would be linked to information related to the correspondingclub/team. This would enable a strong interaction through social mediaand other web tools between athletes and/or clubs and fans.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a compositeimage heat transfer 100 which would be applied to specific sportsapparel to increase consumer interaction with an athlete, sportsteam/club, or the like. The composite image heat transfer 100 may beformed by any suitable method for forming heat transfers as is known inthe art.

The composite image heat transfer 100 further comprises scannablemark(s) 102. The scannable marks would be visually recognizableinformation incorporating text, pictures, and numbers, as well asdigital water marks, bar codes and/or QR codes, which are associatedwith a specific athlete or team/club. Any suitable printed material canbe incorporated into the scannable mark 102 of the composite image heattransfer 100, as is known in the art as long as it pertains to thespecific athlete or team/club.

For example, an athlete's number can be printed on the jersey. The teamor club's crest can also be printed on the jersey. Then, the scannablemark 102, such as a digital water mark, bar code, or QR code, etc., canbe embedded within the number or club crest. For example, in FIG. 1, thedigital watermark is embedded within the faces of the athletes(player—on top of the number 1, player below player on the number 1 andplayer on top of the number 0). The digital watermarks are not visible,but with a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet and anappropriate application, a user could access the right Internet site foreach athlete.

The scannable mark 102 would correspond to individual athleteinformation and/or sports team/club information. The information relatesto specific stats and/or personal information about the athlete and/orsports team/club which is stored in a database. The scannable mark 102can be printed on the composite image heat transfer 100 to specificallyidentify an athlete and/or team/club and to identify information aboutthat athlete and/or team/club.

Furthermore, the scannable mark 102 would be printed with any suitableink as is known in the art. For example, the scannable mark 102 can beprinted with ultraviolet-curable inks to provide a scannable mark 102that includes optically readable information, has excellent durabilityagainst wind, rain, and light, and can be produced more simply and atlow cost. Further, the ultraviolet-curable (UV) inks can be used foranti-counterfeit features, to guarantee that the jerseys are authenticand have been legally acquired by the user. The ultraviolet-curable inkscan be any type as long as the ink can be cured by being irradiated withultraviolet radiation. Other suitable inks can be used for the scannablemark 102 as is known in the art, as long as the inks provide visuallyrecognizable information and durability against adverse conditions.

As stated supra, the composite image heat transfer 100 is applied to abase material. The base material is typically a woven or non-wovenfabric material, but can be any suitable material as is known in theart. The base material is typically produced using routine methods knownin the art. Further, the base material would typically be part of(incorporated into) a clothing article, such as a t-shirt, jersey,sweatshirt, jersey, apparel accessory, hat, etc., or any other suitableclothing article as is known in the art. The composite image heattransfer 100 is applied to the clothing article via any suitable methodas is known in the art for applying heat transfers. The composite imageheat transfer 100 would be applied to the front side or the back side ofthe clothing article, or even on a tag of the clothing article dependingon the wants and/or needs of the manufacturer or user.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a method of developing, making, and using thecomposite image heat transfer is shown. It is anticipated that one ofthe images of the composite image heat transfer could be a number orcrest for a sports team/club, etc. requiring permission and/or licensingfees for reproduction of the desired image or images. Securing imagerights authorization in this regard occurs at 200. Images can bephotographic or artistic works otherwise developed manually orelectronically such as by an artist or graphic artist. It should beunderstood that the image may also relate to famous people, places,events, animals or any other subject that may be of interest. One mayalso provide images of family members or friends as part of a socialgathering such as a family reunion or the like.

A graphic designer or other artist prepares a keyboard symbol component,as shown in FIG. 1 for example, the numeral “10” having a robust widthand generally pre-defined dimensions in which to position the scannablemark, such as graphic design lettering or balloon-style symbols.However, a large image is not necessary, and a small detail, such as aclub crest with a digital watermark would enable the technology to workas well. This procedure further includes at 202, positioning a secondimage and/or a scannable mark within the confines of the number orsports crest. For example, the number or sports crest can be embeddedwith just a scannable mark, or as shown in FIG. 1, the number or sportscrest can comprise a second image within the number or sports crest.Then, the scannable mark would be embedded within this second image,such as embedded within the faces of the athletes (as shown in FIG. 1).

At 204, the composite image heat transfer is prepared. A suitable heattransfer can be obtained from Avery Dennison Retail InformationServices, LLC of Westborough, Mass. and is marketed under the AGILITY®brand. In doing so, the composite image can be transferred onto asubstrate that has otherwise complete heat transfer characteristics, inwhich event placement of the composite images thereon completespreparation of the heat transfer. Alternatively, the composite image canbe placed on a sheet that will be subsequently completed by the additionof further sheets, materials or conditions in order to prepare the fullsubstrate needed for a heat transfer. As a further alternative, thecomposite image and heat transfer substrate components can be compiledand assembled substantially simultaneously. Whatever sequence ofproduction is followed, the desired composite image heat transfer isprepared upon completion of 204. Transfer sheets and/or paper backingcan be included to aid in the movement of the heat transfer from themanufacturing point to the assembly or application area. Typically, thetransfer of the composite image is a printing phase, often carried outwith digital offset presses, such as Indigo® available from HP® of PaloAlto, Calif. Heat transfers can also be produced using conventionalflexographic or gravure printing equipment.

A heat transfer application stage is illustrated at 206. The compositeimage heat transfer is applied to a sports jersey or other similarapparel item or accessory, such as a hat or shoe. Transfers can beprovided in cut singles or roll-to-roll formats. Application equipmentat this stage or phase can include heat transfer press machines, forexample an Avery Dennison CTB-5 Heat Transfer Bonder, available fromAvery Dennison Retail Information Services, LLC of Westborough, Mass.Digital or laser transfer approaches and equipment may be suitable forsome products. Composite image heat transfer receiving sheets can bemade of a variety of materials, synthetic, natural and blends. These caninclude polymer or plastic components, cellulosic components, wovenfabrics or components, non-woven fabrics or components and fibercomponents.

Typical sports apparel falls in the category of soft goods such asproducts made from fabric or other pliable or bendable material.Examples include clothing of any type such as shirts, jerseys, andsweatshirts, as well as other products such as banners, flags, covers,bedding, throws and other soft goods.

It will be appreciated that reproduction of the composite image as aheat transfer can be by printing approaches such as screen printing,lithographic offset printing and digital printing. Various methods ofcarrying this image to the sports item can be employed during the heattransfer application stage at 206. Some methods will vary depending onthe substrate and performance requirements. Examples include screenprinting a backing ink or backing inks and adhesive, layers behind thecomposite image, which can be a photographic image. In some instances,the adhesive may be a powder that is spread onto the back of the heattransfer substrate. Essentially any appropriate heat transfermanufacturing method and component details can be practiced.

The symbol can be numeric or alphabetic or any other symbol such as aclub crest. In a specific embodiment, the concept of the presentdisclosure is the placing of a scannable mark, such as a digital watermark, bar code, and/or QR code, etc. on the number or club crest on thefront of a sports jersey. It is recognized that either or both of thefirst and second images may require licensing and be subject to imageuse guidelines, and it is contemplated that licensing efforts may be acomponent of the present disclosure's procedure. At 208, users then scanthe scannable mark to receive stats and personal information on theindividual athlete and/or team/club. Users can also register thescannable mark and then follow the individual athlete and/or team/clubon social media.

With reference now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an exemplaryarchitecture system and/or workflow in accordance with aspects of thepresent inventive subject matter. Furthermore, this architecture alsoincludes an embodiment, which uses HF (high frequency) or UHF (ultrahighfrequency) RFID with the scannable mark. Suitably, in a first step, aconsumer 10 or other like user launches a suitable application orsoftware (hereinafter nominally referred to as scanning software)supported and/or resident on their portable, handheld and/or mobiledevice 12, e.g., such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant(PDA), tablet, handheld or laptop computer or any other similar device.More specifically, the aforementioned application or software, i.e., thescanning software, enables the device 12 to capture and/or read selectedindicia and decode or decrypt the same or otherwise extract a codetherefrom.

In practice, the consumer 10 uses the scanning software and/or device 12to selectively scan, read, image and/or photograph a particular markeror indicia assigned to, designated for and/or associated with the sportsarticle or other item of interest to the consumer 10. As shown in theillustrated embodiment, the marker or indicia is printed, encoded orotherwise arranged directly on the front of the sports article or otherarticle of interest to the consumer 10. Suitably, the marker may be forexample a retail barcode 16 or a 2D (two-dimensional) barcode 18 (e.g.,as shown in the illustrated embodiment), or it may be a QR code, adigital water mark, or any other identifying symbol or indicia assignedto, designated for and/or associated with the sports article or otheritem of interest. Optionally, the marker may be an electronic marker orsignal, e.g., such as the type output from an RFID (Radio FrequencyIDentification) tag or the like. The RFID device may be provided as aninlay, which is then inserted onto the apparel. Exemplary RFID devicesare available from Avery Dennison RFID Company of Greensboro, N.C.

In an exemplary embodiment, each marker has been printed with or isencoded with or otherwise contains a unique identifier (nominallyreferred to herein as the marker ID) which is extractable therefrom viathe software or application running on the device 12. Alternatively, alabel containing the marker can be applied to the sports article after anumber of such labels have been printed or otherwise provided withsuitable information.

Suitably, the software or application on the device 12 decodes thebarcode or symbol and extracts the unique identifier (i.e., the markerID). For example, the marker ID may be a 13 digit hexadecimal valueextracted from a 2D barcode. Of course, optionally, the identifier maynot be strictly unique in the sense that it represents a single specificathlete, or other like item or thing. Rather, optionally, a givenidentifier may represent a particular sports team or club. Accordingly,the same identifier may be encoded or otherwise included in the markersapplied to all such sports items for a given team. The identifier couldalso be used to other famous people such as movie stars, politicalfigures, historical figures, or places, animals, plants or other itemswhich may be suitable for a marketing or promotional campaign or whichconsumers may wish to have an interaction with.

At the next step, the software or application running on the device 12makes an http (hypertext transfer protocol) request across the Internet20, which may be accessed via a cellular or other wireless network orany other similarly available communication method, to a backend URL(Uniform Resource Locator) server 22 and passes thereto (e.g., in theheader of the http request) the decoded or otherwise extracted markerID. In response to receipt of the http request, the URL server 22 and/orappropriate software running thereon makes a standard Java call or thelike to a corresponding URL database server 24 to find a URL or otherlike address associated with the marker ID obtained from the marker.Suitably, the URL database server 24 includes and/or otherwise hasaccess to a database (DB) 26, e.g., such as a DB2 type database producedby International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) or another SQL(Structured Query Language) type database. In general, the DB 26associates a plurality of different marker IDs with corresponding URLsor other like addresses. Suitably, a single URL or other like addresscorresponding to a content management server 30 is associated in the DB26 with a plurality of different marker IDs.

Assuming the URL database server 24 recognizes the obtained marker ID asa number or value associated in the DB 26 with the URL or address of thecontent management server 30, the URL database server 24 accordinglyreturns that URL or address (i.e., the target URL or address) to the URLserver 22. In turn, the URL server 22 and/or the software runningthereon makes an http response back to the portable or mobile device 12and passes thereto the target URL or other address provided by the URLdatabase server 24.

In response to receiving the target URL or other like address, thedevice 12 or the software running thereon (e.g., the scanning software)then opens a default or other web browser on the portable/mobile device12 and makes an http post to the target URL. Accordingly, the http postdirects the user 10 (i.e., the web browser running on the device 12) tothe content management server 30 and the following information is passedin the http header: Marker ID that was obtained from the scanned orotherwise read marker; an identifier specifying the type of barcode ormarker used; a numerical or alphanumerical or other suitable user ID(e.g., which may be contained in the device 12 or the scanning software)that identifies the customer 10; a version number of the scanningsoftware used to scan or read the barcode or other marker; andoptionally other information that may be available, e.g., such as a dateand/or time of the scan, the GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinatesof where the scan was performed or the current location of the device12, the type (i.e., make and/or model) of the device 12 being used toscan the marker, etc.

In turn, the content management server 30 receives the http post andidentifies the portable/mobile device 12 being used. The contentmanagement server 30 then holds the http session open and makes aseparate Java or web service or other like call across a secure VPN(Virtual Private Network) or other similar network connection to atemplate server 32 and sends to the template server 32 the informationreceived in the http post from the portable/mobile device 12. Suitably,the template server 32 receives the call from the content managementserver 30 and in response thereto uses a Java or similar call to contacta template database server 34, which includes or otherwise has access toa DB 36, e.g., such as a DB2 or other SQL type database. In an exemplaryembodiment, the DB 36 associates particular marker IDs obtained fromscanned markers with corresponding SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) numbers orthe like. For example, the DB 36 associates the obtained marker ID withthe SKU number or the like assigned to the retail item or other articlethat is tagged or labeled with or otherwise identified by the marker. Inthis way then, it is known exactly what sports article or other articleis of interest to the consumer 10, i.e., insomuch as its correspondingmarker has been scanned, imaged or otherwise read by the consumer'sportable/mobile device 12 and/or the scanning software running thereonand ultimately the associated SKU number or the like for that retailitem or article has been looked-up in and/or otherwise obtained from theDB 36.

According to one optional embodiment, in addition to the SKU or otherlike data, each marker ID in the DB 36 is also associated with atemplate web page ID, and in response to the received Java or othersimilar call from the template server 32, the template database server34 returns the corresponding template web page ID to the template server32, which then returns the received template web page ID (e.g., in aJava or web service or other like response) back to the contentmanagement server 30.

In response to the template web page ID received from the templateserver 32, the content management server 30 makes a Java call or thelike to a content management database server 38 that includes or hasaccess to a DB 40 that relates template web page IDs to correspondingweb page templates. Accordingly, using the template web page ID receivedfrom the content management server 30, the content management databaseserver 38 selects the corresponding web page template from the DB 40 andreturns the same to the content management server 30.

In turn, the content management server 30 renders the web page templateso that it is optimized for the specific portable/mobile device (asidentified previously), and creates an appropriate web page for thatdevice in a suitable and/or otherwise supported format, e.g., such asWML (Wireless Mark-up Language), xHTML (Extensible Hypertext MarkupLanguage), cHTML (Compact HTML), XML (Extensible Mark-up Language), JSP(JavaServer Pages), etc. The content manager server 30 then returns tothe browser on the portable/mobile device 12, e.g., via an httpresponse, the rendered web page optimized for that specific device. Theweb browser on the portable/mobile device 12 accordingly displays theoptimized web page to the consumer 10.

Notably, in one suitable embodiment, the web page template that isselected is specific to the item scanned (i.e., the retail or other itemof interest that is associated with the tag 14 or the like bearing thescanned marker) so that the user 10 sees on their device 12 a web pagethat is specific for the item they scanned. Suitably, this is not ageneric template, but a customized web page (with potentially dynamiccontent) for the sports article being scanned by the user 10. In otherwords, the web page template is generally not a generic template but aspecific web page for the product scanned.

In one alternate embodiment, the template web page ID stored in the DB36 may instead be a URL or other like address for a third party server42, e.g., such as a coupon server or retail server or the like.Accordingly, in response to the Java or other like call received fromthe template server 32, the template database server 34 obtains from theDB 36 the URL or other like address of the third party server 42, and inturn returns the same to the template server 32 which then sends it backto the content management server 30. In this case, along with the URL orother like address of the third party server 42, the corresponding SKUnumber or other like product identifying data from the DB 36 is alsoincluded in the data ultimately returned to the content managementserver 30.

Upon receipt of the URL or other like address of the third party server42, the content management server 30 executes an http redirect to thethird party server 42 and provides, e.g., in the http header, theassociated SKU number or other pertinent information that may be used bythe third-party server 42 to generate a customized web page for thespecific product being scanned by the consumer 10. Suitably, the thirdparty server 42 uses the SKU or other data provided to identify thesports article and returns the appropriate web page to the browser onthe portable/mobile device 12, e.g., via a standard http return call.

As can be appreciated from the present specification, the information orcontent delivered to the device 12 can be customized based on thespecific athlete and/or sports team/club of interest to the consumer 10insomuch as the SKU or other like product identifying information isknown. For example, such customized information may include stats on thespecific athlete identified or on the specific sports team/clubidentified, as well as personal information about the athlete and/orteam/club, etc. For example, assume a consumer scans a digital watermarkon a jersey number on the front of an athlete's jersey or on consumermerchandise, the returned information may include the athlete's stats,personal information about the athlete, such as his likes or dislikes,and stats about the sports team/club in general, as well as otherteam/club information.

Additionally, it may be desirable to incorporate into the compositeimage heat-transfer labels of the type described above security features(e.g., anti-theft, anti-counterfeit, anti-parallel imports, etc.). Inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, one approach toaccomplishing this objective is to incorporate an RFID (radio frequencyidentification) device into the heat-transfer label. The RFID device maycontain information for security purposes and/or a wide variety of othertypes of information.

For example, the composite image heat transfer can include an RFIDintegrated circuit having a built-in antenna. Preferably, the RFIDintegrated circuit is very thin to reduce the bulk of the compositeimage heat transfer. An example of an RFID integrated circuit with abuilt-in antenna suitable for use as the RFID integrated circuit iscommercially available from Hitachi, Ltd. as the “mu-chip” RFID IC. The“mu-chip” RFID IC has a size of 0.4 mm·times·0.4 mm, operates at a radiofrequency 2.45 Ghz and has a 128-bit ROM. The mounting of the RFIDintegrated circuit between a primer layer and an adhesive layer may beaccomplished by depositing the RFID integrated circuit onto the primerlayer (before primer layer has dried) and then printing the adhesivelayer over the RFID integrated circuit and primer layer. Further,instead of an RFID IC, an RFID strap can be inserted between theadhesive layer and the primer layer. An “RFID strap” comprises thecombination of an RFID chip and conductive leads. Examples of RFIDstraps are disclosed in the following patents and patent applications,all of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2003/0136503 entitled RFID LABEL TECHNIQUE,inventors Green et al., published Jul. 24, 2003; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/214,066 entitled RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION DEVICE ANDMETHOD, inventor Liu et al., filed Aug. 7, 2002; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/406,702 entitled RFID DEVICE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD,inventor Forster, filed Apr. 3, 2003; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.60/485,313 entitled RFID DEVICE WITH CHANGEABLE CHARACTERISTICS,inventors Forster et al., filed Jul. 7, 2003; and U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/517,155 entitled RFID TAG WITH ENHANCEDREADABILITY, inventor Forster, filed Nov. 4, 2003. In addition, an RFIDstrap is commercially available from Philips Electronics (Netherlands)as the “I-connect” RFID strap. It should be noted that the read distanceof wireless RFIDs and of RFID straps is quite small, i.e., about aninch. Accordingly, the RFID information in the RFID straps can only beread when a reader is positioned very close thereto. To enable readingat longer distances, the RFID device preferably includes an antenna.

Another way in which the various composite image heat transfersdescribed above may be endowed with a security feature (anti-theft,anti-counterfeiting, anti-parallel imports) is to incorporate one ormore security materials (such as inks and additives) into the label.Security materials may comprise, or be added to, a single layer of thelabel (such as an ink layer or adhesive layer), or may comprise multiplelayers of the label which interact to provide a security indication.Readily apparent (or “overt”) security indicators are generallypreferred to covert security. Security inks include, but are not limitedto, IR-activatable inks, UV-activatable inks, visible light-activatableinks, heat-activatable inks, electrically-activatable inks,magnetically-activatable inks, chemically-activatable inks,humidity-activatable inks, pressure-activatable inks, dichroic inks,time-controlled inks. Security additives include, for example,microscopic tracer particles (or “taggants”) that may be incorporatedinto, e.g., the adhesive layer of the heat-transfer label. Certainmolecules can be coded by their physical material composition, color,alpha-numeric characters and other methods. An electronic reader wouldbe used to verify the molecular composition in the heat-transfer label.

Accordingly, the disclosed composite image heat transfer can be used onspecific merchandising articles, sports jerseys, or other apparel for aspecific sport and can be authenticated by a user. Once legally acquiredby a user, the scannable mark would be scanned by a user to providestats, personal information, or other information about thecorresponding sports team/club and/or individual athlete. The user canalso register the scannable mark and follow the sports team/club and/orathlete on social media. Thus, the composite image heat transfer withembedded scannable mark would link each jersey number with informationrelated to the corresponding player/athlete, and each club crest wouldbe linked to information related to the corresponding club/team. Thiswould enable a strong interaction through social media and other webtools between athletes and/or clubs and fans.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A composite image heat transfer for an article ofapparel comprising: a heat transfer having at least one scannable mark;the at least one scannable mark positioned on the heat transfer in anarea of an image; a radio frequency identification (RFID) strap mountedbetween a primer layer and an adhesive layer of the heat transfer,wherein the heat transfer is a number, crest or emblem relating to anathlete or sports team.
 2. The heat transfer of claim 1, wherein thearticle is a sports jersey.
 3. The heat transfer of claim 1, wherein thescannable mark includes information on the athlete or sports team. 4.The heat transfer of claim 1, wherein the scannable mark providesinformation including stats, personal information, or other informationrelating to the image.
 5. The heat transfer of claim 1, wherein thescannable mark is configured to direct a user by an http post to thecontent management server after opening a browser.
 6. The heat transferof claim 1, wherein the scannable mark is configured to direct a user toa web page template that is specific to the item scanned.